cem40 mount performance

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sarg314
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cem40 mount performance

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Post by sarg314 »


Hi All:
I am contemplating buying a cem40 or cem40ec for my Celestron C8 with OAG guiding. I am unhappy with the Celestron AVX mount I've been using for the last 18 mo. On paper, the cem40 seems to be in a completely different league than the AVX.

I have read Steve333's notes about his cem40ec. I have some questions for Steve or any one who has experience with the cem40.

How much backlash did you measure with the thing right out of the box?
Did you have to make any adjustment to the mount to reduce backlash?
What focal length is your guide scope?
What kind of RMS guiding performance does the whole combination produce?

Thanks very much for any information.
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STEVE333 United States of America
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Re: cem40 mount performance

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Post by STEVE333 »


Hi Sarg -

I ran the Guide Assistant in PHD2 to measure the Dec Backlash of my new CEM40 EC. I don't remember the actual value, but it wasn't particularly small. I think it was something like 600 which was disappointing to me. However, when I started guiding with the mount there was no Dec backlash apparent. Not sure if the fact that I have the EC version (with the encoders) is why there is no backlash apparent in the actual guiding.

My guide scope is the Orion MMAG Autoguider package. The guide scope focal length = 162mm.

I have been getting <1" RMS guiding.

Hope this helps.

Steve
Steve King: Light Pollution (Bortle 5)
Telescope + Mount + Guiding: W.O. Star71-ii + iOptron CEM40 EC + Orion Magnificent Mini AutoGuider
Camera: ASI 1600MM Pro + EFW Filter Wheel + Chroma 3nm Siii, Ha, Oiii + ZWO LRGB Filters
Software: PHD2; APT; PixInsight ***** My AP website: www.steveking.pictures
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